We don’t believe there is a more magical way to celebrate the holidays than at Christmas markets throughout Europe. Here are some of our favorites and highlights (and downsides) at each to help with your next Christmas market vacation!
See our Youtube video about the markets:
#1 Strasbourg, France
Where we stayed: Residence Inn Strasbourg: https://expedia.tpo.mx/00ZhXAbw
This market is the definition of Christmas – it feels so magical in the town square right underneath a massive Notre Dame Cathedral. Plus, there are about 10 other markets around the city where you can get away from the crowds and enjoy and walk to. Wine is the best deal here of all the markets we visited so just something to keep in mind while budgeting!
Petite France is one we HIGHLY recommend visiting. The architecture of the buildings is stunning and there are some food offerings over that way (mainly soup) that is so tasty and helps break up the repitition of cheese, potatoes, sweets, found everywhere else.
One downside to this market is they use plastic cups as their “cup of the market” and so we recommend finding a glass one for a souvenir as the plastic ones just don’t have the same magic as a glass mug with hand-detailed decoration on it. We found two different ones that were both great, they sell them at certain booths – just keep your eye out for it.
#2 Stuttgart, Germany
Where we stayed: Le Meridien Stuttgart: https://expedia.tpo.mx/GloDN1oO
Stuttgart was one large market central to the city and the metro stop literally drops you off at the market. They had glass mugs as their “sovenir” mug of the market which we really enjoyed. This one feels a bit more commercialized but we found the most cozy corner of the market called the “Finnish Village” and that is where we found the BEST food and gloggi (instead of gluhwein) and LOVED our time here. It is definitely worth checking out when visiting. Felt very quaint and really authentic. It lended to us leaning toward Germany over France in terms of preference of markets.
The other fantastic part about Stuttgart is just about 20 minutes away via metro or train, is a town called Ludwigsburg, Germany and their Christmas market was the most quaint, non-touristy place we went and we LOVED IT. The food was spectacular (make sure you try Langos, Apple Cheesecake, and Speatzle in a Cheese Wheel!) and the wine mugs and wine were so tasty as well. Most people do not speak english here and make sure you have euros over a credit card.
The only downside to this market is the train station is under construction for about the next 10 years so that can make transit a bit more difficult in getting around.
#3 Salzburg, Austria
Where we stayed: Mayburg Salzburg: https://expedia.tpo.mx/wVE1AgS5
Salzburg has one large central market in the square underneath the fortress and by the main cathedral as well as many other smaller markets around the city that you can either walk to you or take public transit to get to. They do indeed have glass mugs here for wine so that is fun to shop around and find your favorites souvenir of the night (we recommend keeping at least one from every market!) We kept ones from a smaller market we came across between the hotel and main square as we liked the design better than the main market.
Also, Mozart calls Salzburg home so make sure you stop by his house and try one of the chocolates that have been made for over 100 years! www.original-mozartkugel.com/en/original-salzburger-mozartkugel
The main market is the setting for the Krampus Night/Run (Krampuslauf) which is a festive, often wild, European tradition where people dressed as the half-goat, half-demon Krampus parade or run through streets, sometimes playfully (sometimes not so playfully) chasing people and carrying birch branches, to scare away winter spirits. It usually occurs around the 5th night of December so if you plan accordingly, you can be here for this event.
We recommend getting to the market early and shopping and eating your way before the Krampus Run starts somewhere around 6 pm. You can go into the local tourism office and have them draw you a map of the route as well. Then, head to the start of the route about 20 minutes before showtime to get a good spot. The beginning of the route is WAY less crowded and the Krampuses have more room to interact with the viewers which makes it much more enjoyable.
If you join them later on the route, just be prepared for wall to wall people and getting pushed around. The Krampuses don’t seem to enjoy as much either because there isn’t a lot of room to move around and most end up just walking by you. It is worth a visit for the experience as we thoroughly enjoyed it and it was very unique and nothing like we can get at home in the U.S.
MC Exploring 